First Electronic World Trade Platform In Africa Established in Rwanda

A Partnership between the Rwanda government and Alibaba Group has seen the first Electronic World Trade Platform (eWTP) in Africa launched in Kigali two days ago, making it possible for small businesses in Africa to participate in cross-border electronic trade.

This is good news not just for Rwanda alone but the whole of Africa.

President Paul Kagame officiated at the ground-breaking ceremony. Three agreements were signed between Rwanda and Alibaba Group. These agreements are intended to strengthen cooperation in support of Rwanda’s economic development by promoting policy innovation, enabling cross-border trade of Rwandan products to Chinese consumers, facilitating tourism to Rwanda, and providing capacity building to empower the growth of Rwanda’s digital economy.

Executive Chairman of the Alibaba Group, Jack Ma said during the landmark ceremony: ”We are making new rules for the future, we are making improvements for the world trade. We have to make things a reality; whether this agreement is good or not will depend on the results. I am delighted that Rwanda is the first eWTP partner in Africa, and I look forward to the development of an innovative digital economy here.”

Jack called on Rwandan businesses to take advantage of the platforms as they will also provide capacity building to academics, policymakers and entrepreneurs on how to grow a digital economy.

Alibaba Group specialises in e-commerce, retail, Internet, Artificial Intelligence and technology. It rakes in revenues in excess of $39.9billion and is a Chinese multinational conglomerate. the Company is the world’s largest e-commerce platform operator.

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